Month: October 2018

Wednesday: Mercy

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Holy Father, you are merciful and kind, and we love you! Be with us now as we read our Bible story, and teach us all that you want us to know. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

2 Timothy 1:5-7
I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure that you have it as well. So I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well. God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why do you think God gives each of us special gifts? What are some of the gifts that you see in me?

Child: How can having God’s Spirit in our lives give us courage? When have you needed to be brave?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, thank you for giving us people in our lives to teach us and pass on their faith. May we never take them for granted, and may we boldly share our faith with others as well. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Tuesday: Struggle

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty God, no matter what struggles we face, you are always there for us. Help us to realize this, and to trust you more and more as we study your Word. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

2 Timothy 1:2-4
Paul wrote to his friend, Timothy:
Timothy, you are like a dear child to me. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Christ Jesus will be kind and merciful to you and will bless you with peace! Night and day I mention you in my prayers. I am always grateful for you, as I pray to the God my ancestors and I have served with a clear conscience. I remember how you cried, and I want to see you, because that will make me truly happy. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What do you do when you are upset like Timothy was and want to feel peace? How does God help you with this?

Child: Who in your life are you grateful for? Why?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord, when people we care about have to go away, we feel sad like Timothy did. But you promise to never leave or forsake us. Thank you for being with us no matter where we are in this life. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Monday: Understanding

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God's name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, as we begin this new week at work and school, we ask that you would lead us and guide us. Stir up your Holy Spirit. Help us to understand the Scriptures, so that we might live in a way that is pleasing to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

2 Timothy 1:2-8Paul wrote to his friend, Timothy:
Timothy, you are like a dear child to me. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Christ Jesus will be kind and merciful to you and will bless you with peace!

Night and day I mention you in my prayers. I am always grateful for you, as I pray to the God my ancestors and I have served with a clear conscience. I remember how you cried, and I want to see you, because that will make me truly happy. I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure that you have it as well. So I ask you to make full use of the gift that God gave you when I placed my hands on you. Use it well. God’s Spirit doesn’t make cowards out of us. The Spirit gives us power, love, and self-control.

Don’t be ashamed to speak for our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, just because I am in jail for serving him. Use the power that comes from God and join with me in suffering for telling the good news. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why is it important to pray for people? Who do you mention in your prayers regularly?

Child: Was there a family member or friend who passed on the Christian faith to you? How did they do this?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Holy God, thank you for this day and for each person here. Bless our family members, and help us remember to pray for each other. Strengthen us, so that we might never be ashamed to share our faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Sunday: Worship

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, on this first day of a new week, give us hope for all that is to come. Help us to be strengthened by your Word, and to share it with others who need to hear it. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Psalm 69:6
Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel. (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: What do you think it means to hope in God? Tell about a time when you did this, yourself.

Child: What are some of the ways that you seek God in your life? When do you feel closest to God?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Almighty God, we have every reason to place our hope in you! You are absolutely trust-worthy and kind and good. Keep us faithful, and lead us every day of our lives. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Saturday: Generosity

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Lord God, as our week draws to a close, help us to notice and count our many blessings. Thank you for all that you have given us! Bless each person in this room, and be with us now as we study your Word. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as these verses from the Bible are read aloud.

Galatians 2:14-16
But when I saw that they were not really obeying the truth that is in the good news, I corrected Peter in front of everyone and said: "Peter, you are a Jew, but you live like a Gentile. So how can you force Gentiles to live like Jews? We are Jews by birth and are not sinners like Gentiles. But we know that God accepts only those who have faith in Jesus Christ. No one can please God by simply obeying the Law. So we put our faith in Christ Jesus, and God accepted us because of our faith." (CEV)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: How have you tried to please God in your life? Why do you think faith pleases God the most?

Child: How did you first learn about Jesus? What helped you put your faith in him?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Heavenly Father, we want to please you, yet so often we fall short. Give us true faith in Jesus, your Son. Help us to realize all that he has done for us, and to share the good news of his saving love with others. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Friday: Trust

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Heavenly Father, this is the day that you have made! We will rejoice and be glad in it! Thank you for all that you have given us, including this time together. Help us to appreciate it, and to use it wisely. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention to this reminder from Luther’s Small Catechism.

We know we have not earned, nor do we deserve, those things for which we pray. But we ask that [God] would grant us all things through grace, even though we sin every day and deserve nothing but punishment. And so we, too, will heartily forgive, and gladly do good to those who sin against us. (Luther's Small Catechism)

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Luther says that we don’t deserve the things for which we pray. Do you agree? Why or why not?

Child: Do you find it hard to forgive? What helps you do good to those who sin against you?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Holy God, it can be so hard to let go of our anger when others are unkind to us. Yet you forgive us every day. Help us to remember this, and to pray for those who sin against us rather than seeking revenge. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.

Thursday: Compassion

Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.

From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Almighty Father, thank you for this day, and for this time together. Be with as we study, talk and pray, and help us to learn the lessons you have for us. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Listen: Pay close attention as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.

Writing to his friends, Paul said,
“My friend Peter’s been misled
For he thinks he cannot eat
With the sinners on the street."

“He’s forgotten one small fact;
He need not be so exact!
For, indeed, I have good news
Both for Gentiles and for Jews.”

“Jesus came to set us free
All of us, both you and me!
Put your faith in him today;
Not in deeds that fade away.”

Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.

Child: Why isn’t it a good idea to put our faith in our own deeds?

Child: What was Paul’s good news? How does this news make a difference in your own life?

Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.

Lord God, thank you for having compassion on us each day. You forgive us when we fall short, and you never give up on us. Help us to realize how very blessed we are. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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Holy Families! is an initiative of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and Sola Publishing, provided through a generous grant from the Thrivent Foundation, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reformation (1517-2017).

The Holy Family Time daily devotional is written by: Mrs. Kelly Hanson (Ladysmith, WI) and Rev. Steven E. King (Oakdale, MN).